Combined inflow and overflow bathtub plumbing device

ABSTRACT

A unitary bathtub plumbing device having a body that defines a drain cavity formed in the interior of the body. A tube-like exterior outlet coupler is formed on the exterior of the body and is fluidly connected to the drain cavity. The body also includes a tube-like interior inlet coupler formed in the interior of the body. The interior inlet coupler is fluidly connected to a tube-like exterior inlet coupler which is formed on the exterior of the body.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/931,147 filed Jan. 24, 2014, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bathtub plumbing device. Inparticular, the present invention relates to a bathtub plumbing devicethat facilitates the inflow and overflow of water using a unitaryone-piece plumbing interface device.

BACKGROUND

Existing bathtubs are generally equipped with a faucet for filling waterinto the bathtub via a spout having an optional diverter for redirectingthe flow of water to a shower head, a drain outlet for draining water,and an optional overflow port for draining water should the water exceedthe capacity of the bathtub. These bathroom designs may come in variousstyles and configuration such as for example, faucets having modifiedhandle designs, and spouts heads having various shapes and sizes.Bathroom plumbing supporting these bathroom fixtures and assemblies mayinclude plumbing lines such as copper or PVC pipes and variousconnectors. Depending on the configuration of the bathroom fixtures, thepipes supporting these fixtures still require additional components andconnectors to support various bathtub functions such as fill andoverflow of water. It would therefore be desirable to be able to providean improved bathroom plumbing device that may reduce the number ofcomponents used in the overall bathroom plumbing system.

SUMMARY

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a unitarybathroom plumbing device to simultaneously direct water from a waterinlet source to fill the bathtub and redirect overflow water away fromthe bathtub to a discharge outlet.

It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a unitarybathroom plumbing device having an exterior inlet coupler for receivinghot and cold water from a water inflow source.

It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide aunitary bathroom plumbing device having an exterior outlet coupler fortransferring water to a discharge outlet.

It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide aunitary bathroom plumbing device that is compatible with a variety ofinfill spout designs and sizes.

It is no less another advantage of the present invention to provide aunitary bathroom plumbing device that is easy to install into existingbathtub plumbing systems.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention andfrom the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 1B illustrates an alternate perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 1C illustrates a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1D illustrates a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1E illustrates a profile view of an in-flow structure of theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 1F illustrates a profile view of an outflow structure of theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 withdashed lines indicating water intake and overflow directions;

In the appended figures, one or more elements may have the samereference numeral in different figures indicating previously describedelements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A bathtub plumbing device such as device 100 of FIG. 1A may be formed asa compact, single-piece, unitary constructed component to direct andredirect multiple sources of water flow, such as, for example, an inflowand overflow of a water source, in a bathtub plumbing system. Unlikeconnectors such as a T-connector, elbow connector, or a Y-connector,which are used to support only a single direction of water flow, thebathtub plumbing device 100 is configured to direct and redirect atleast two water supply sources flowing in opposite directions.

Referring again to FIG. 1A, a perspective view of the bathtub plumbingdevice 100 that is constructed to support multiple sources of waterflow. The bathtub plumbing device 100 includes a body 102 that definesan opening or drain cavity 103 formed in the interior of the body 102. Atube-like exterior outlet coupler 106 is formed on the exterior of thebody 102 and is fluidly connected to the drain cavity 103. The body 102also includes a tube-like interior inlet coupler 104 formed in theinterior of the body 102. The interior inlet coupler 104 is fluidlyconnected to a tube-like exterior inlet coupler 108 which is formed onthe exterior of the body 102. In combination, the interior inlet coupler104 and exterior inlet coupler 108 is structurally similar to an elbowconnector, forming a 90 degree angle between the face of the interiorinlet coupler 104 and the face of the exterior inlet coupler 108. Thisdesign provides for easy installation in a new or existing bathtubsystem and also provides a drain and infill water connection on the sameside of the body 102.

A circular base platform 112 and circular lip 114 are formed along thedrain cavity of the interior of the body 102 and together act as asupporting structure to secure the bathtub plumbing device 100 to thebathtub. The circular base platform 112 and circular lip 114 aredesigned to interface and fit through a hole formed in the bathtub. Thehole size may range from 2.4 inches to 3.0 inches in diameter but can beconfigured for various hole sizes. An O-ring, putty, or sealant (notshown) may be applied around the base platform 112 to completely sealthe interface of the bathtub plumbing device 100 to the bathtub andprevent water from entering through the interface.

Raised half-cylindrically shaped structures defining securing members111 are formed in the interior of the body 102 A hole 110 is formed ineach securing member 111 for receiving a fastener such as a taperedscrew or bolt (not shown) used to affix the body 102 to the bathtub.

In an alternate perspective view as shown in FIG. 1B, the interior ofboth the drain cavity 103 and inlet coupler 104 of the bathtub plumbingdevice 100 is made visible at this view. In this illustration, anopening 105 is formed in the body 102 thereby forming a passagewaythrough the exterior outlet coupler 106.

With reference now to FIG. 1C, there is shown a front view of theembodiment of FIG. 1. The shape and positioning of the drain cavity 103,interior inlet coupler 104 and fastener holes 110 are shown at the frontview.

With reference now to FIG. 1D, there is shown a rear view of theembodiment of FIG. 1. A solid cover plate 118 is formed at a distal endof the interior of the body 102 enclosing one end thereof. Two hexagonalshaped openings 116 are formed along each side of the cover plate 117and provide inserts for hexagonal shaped nuts 118 which are used toreceive a fastener such as a tapered screw or bolt (not shown) to affixthe body 102 to the bathtub.

FIG. 1E illustrates a profile view of an in-flow structure of theembodiment of FIG. 1. The in-flow structure includes the exterior inletcoupler 108 in a form of a tube that is projected from one side of thebody 102. The exterior inlet coupler 108 may be directly coupled to aninlet pipe for receiving hot and cold water inflow.

FIG. 1F illustrates a profile view of an outflow structure of theembodiment of FIG. 1. The out-flow structure includes the exterioroutlet coupler 106 that is projected from another side of the body 102.The exterior outlet coupler 106 may be directly coupled to an overflowpipe for transferring water to a discharge outlet (not shown).

Although the embodiments of these figures illustrate tube-like couplers,other coupler shapes may be implemented without departing from the scopeof the invention. These couple designs may include, for example,rectangular, oval, triangular or custom polygon shapes.

The body 102 which forms the bathtub plumbing device 100 is preferablymade from materials such as PVC Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviatedPVC which is used in pipe construction. Other materials having similarproperties as PVC such as ABS may be used. These materials include butnot limited to, for example, galvanized metal, brass, steel, stainlesssteel, or copper. In addition, the bathtub plumbing device 100 isadvantageously formed as a unitary or single-piece structure usingfabrication processes such as injection molding, stereolithography, alsoknown as 3-D layering or 3-D printing, or other similar fabricationmethods.

In operation, the bathtub plumbing device 100 may be used as a fill andoverflow plumbing component for simultaneously filling water from awater inlet source into the bathtub and redirecting any overflow wateraway from the bathtub to a discharge outlet and thus preventing thepossibility of flooding. As shown in FIG. 2, an infill water flow path202 for hot and cold water is directed through the exterior inletcoupler 108 and the interior inlet coupler 104 which may be connected toan infill spout (not shown) for filling the bathtub. During infilling,any water exceeding the capacity of the bathtub exits through anoverflow port of the spout (not shown) to a discharge outlet (not shown)via the drain cavity 103 and the exterior outlet coupler 106 forming awater drain path 204 as shown in FIG. 2.

Several advantages of the bathtub plumbing device 100 include but arenot limited to a combined or 2-in-1 dispenser for an infill water inletand an overflow discharge outlet, compatibility with a variety of infillspout designs and sizes—from 0 inch to 8 inches in length, and ease ofinstallation into existing bathtub plumbing systems.

Other notable related features of the bathtub plumbing device 100include but are not limited to

-   -   mixed cold and hot water may go through the infill inlet and        exit of the bathtub plumbing device 100 through the spout into        the bathtub;    -   the flow of water into the bathtub is approximately 20        gallons/minute at the appropriate faucet inlet size and        pressure;    -   the overflow of water is gravity fed into the dispenser's        overflow chamber and into the overflow drain. The maximum water        overflow is approximately 22 gallons/minute and gravity fed;    -   the bathtub plumbing device 100 may be secured to the wall of        the bathtub by a cover inside the bathtub with two screws        securing the bathtub plumbing device 100 to the wall of the        bathtub;    -   a bead of putty on the bathtub plumbing device 100 platform        provides a secure seal for the water overflow    -   the bathtub plumbing device 100 may fit through the hole in the        bathtub from 2.4 inches to 3.0 inches. It can be made for        smaller or bigger holes;    -   with the elimination of long spouts overhanging over the        bathtub, it may prevent serious injuries to individuals, with        special focus on children and the elderly, who could        accidentally slip or fall and hit their head or body against the        extended spout over the bathtub;    -   the installation of the bathtub plumbing device 100 is easy for        do-it-yourself projects;    -   the bathtub plumbing device 100 accepts a variety of bathtub        covers and spouts are available in different finishes such as        but not limited to white, chrome, copper and gold. The cover and        spouts can be made with ABS plastic, steel, brass or copper;    -   the shape of the cover for the bathtub plumbing device 100        provides for impact and safety;    -   the bathtub plumbing device 100 is compact and has no moving        parts providing reliability and efficiency    -   the overflow outlet to the drain of the bathtub plumbing device        100 may be from one to nine degrees.

All patents, patent applications, and other references cited herein areincorporated by reference in their entireties.

It is noted that the foregoing disclosure has been provided merely forthe purpose of explanation and is in no way to be construed as limitingof the present invention. Although the present invention has been shownand described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof,various changes, omissions, and additions to the form and detailthereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is understood that the words which have beenused herein are words of description and illustration, rather than wordsof limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appendedclaims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from thescope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects.

Other embodiments and modifications of the present invention may occurto those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings.Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claimswhich include all other such embodiments and modifications when viewedin conjunction with the above specifications and accompanying drawings.

What is claimed is what is described and illustrated, including:
 1. Aunitary bathtub plumbing device for simultaneously directing water froma water inlet source to fill the bathtub and redirect overflow wateraway from the bathtub to a water discharge outlet comprising: a body; adrain cavity formed in a first interior portion of the body; an exterioroutlet coupler formed on a first exterior portion of the body, whereinthe exterior outlet coupler is fluidly coupled to the drain cavity; ainterior inlet coupler formed in a second interior portion of the body;and an exterior inlet coupler formed on the exterior of the body,wherein the interior inlet coupler is fluidly coupled to the exteriorinlet coupler.
 2. The unitary bathtub plumbing device of claim 1 whereinthe body, the drain cavity, the exterior outlet coupler, the interiorinlet coupler, and exterior inlet coupler form a single-piece structure.3. The bathtub device of claim 2 wherein the exterior outlet coupler iscoupled to an overflow pipe for transferring water to a dischargeoutlet.
 4. The bathtub device of claim 2 wherein the exterior inletcoupler is coupled to an inlet pipe for receiving water from a waterinlet source.
 5. The bathtub device of claim 2 wherein the interiorinlet coupler is coupled to an infill spout for filling the bathtub.